The auction result continues the trend of Brough Superiors becoming the most valuable brand in the world, with four of the 10 most valuable motorcycles now coming from the famous (and recently resurrected) brand name.

Interestingly, yet another Brough Superior SS100 will front the auctioneer on November 16 (est. GBP165,000-185,000) and it will almost certainly become the eighth Brough Superior in the top 20, and the eleventh of this group to have been sold by Bonhams.

Though Moby Dick failed to reach its estimate of GBP240,000 to GBP280,000, it still became either the fifth or sixth most valuable motorcycle ever to be sold at auction. It's one of the issues of valuing things in an increasingly global world where exchange rates vary.

In September 2008, a 1939 Vincent-HRD 998cc Series-A Rapide was sold at auction by Bonhams in London for the sum of GBP198,400 (at that time US$347,200). Now, depending on which currency you wish to use, Moby Dick is either more or less valuable than the Vincent at GBP 210,500 or US$333,210. They are between them, the fifth and sixth most valuable motorcycles sold at auction.

'Moby Dick' was widely regarded as 'the fastest privately owned machine in the world suitable for road use' eighty years ago.

It was tested by Motor Cycling magazine in 1931, achieving a top speed of 106 mph. Further tuning of the modified 1,142cc v-twin engine later raised that figure to 115mph in top (third) gear, with 109mph achievable in second.

The winning bidder is reported to be delighted with his purchase, having beaten several other bidders to the trophy.

The upcoming auction of the next "most likely" SS100 will be held at the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate (U.K.) on November 16, 2011.

The bike in question is a 1928 SS100 motorcycle with an estimate of GBP 165,000-185,000. It had formerly been a prominent part of the Brough Superior landscape as it had been owned by well known racer and Brough Superior Club President, Dick Knight.

After Editing or Managing over 50 print publications primarily in the role of a Magazine Doctor, Mike embraced the internet full-time in 1995 and became a "start-up all-rounder" – quite a few start-ups later, he founded Gizmag in 2002. Now he can write again. All articles by Mike Hanlon